§ 15. Mr. DAYasked the Home Secretary whether he can state the number of charges for indecency or soliciting brought by the police under the Hyde Park regulations during the month of June; whether any convictions were recorded, and, if 1549 so, how many; and how many of these cases were supported by uncorroborated police evidence?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe answer is "none."
§ Mr. DAYDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that police activities in Hyde Park have been hampered by any recent investigation?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI would sooner not make an answer in regard to that matter. I did make a statement last week on the subject, in reply to a question. I think the less said, the sooner normal activity will be resumed.
§ 19. Mr. HAYESasked the Home Secretary the nature of the recommendation of the Director of Public Prosecutions in respect of the papers forwarded to him in the case of the two constables who arrested Sir Leo Money and Miss Savidge in Hyde Park?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI do not think that I should answer this question until the Report of the Tribunal has been published. Perhaps, therefore, the hon. Member will not press it, but will put it down again on this day week.
§ Mr. HAYESDoes the right hon. Gentleman recognise that the reason for this question is not the Savidge tribunal which, we understood, was set up entirely apart from what transpired in Hyde Park; and is it not the case that normal conditions are much more likely to be resumed if and when the officers know how far they are to receive the measure of justice which is, apparently, being meted out to other people?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am exceedingly anxious, in the interests of these officers themselves, to arrive at a decision, but I do not think it would be right, in deference to the Commission, that I should express publicly any opinion with regard to these officers until I see whether or not the Commissioners make any remarks concerning them.
Captain ARTHUR EVANSIn view of the right hon. Gentleman's observations, may the House take it that there is no truth in the newspaper report of a decision having already been arrived at?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNo. My hon. and gallant Friend must know that I would not state to the House that I was postponing my decision awaiting the report, if I had received the report. I have not received it.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAWhen does the right hon. Gentleman expect to receive the report of this tribunal, and will it be published immediately on its receipt?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI hope to receive it this week. I am sure my hon. Friend will allow me time to read it before I publish it. I will read it as soon as possible and publish it immediately afterwards.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONHas the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to the steady stream of tendentious propaganda, alleged to issue from someone in connection with the Homo Office, the worst form of which appears in this morning's papers, in reference to which the right hon. Gentleman has just given an emphatic denial?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have noticed, of course, in the Press cuttings an enormous amount of references to the police and to myself—which I should gladly have escaped—within the last few days. I inquired at the Home Office as to whether anyone there was responsible for a particular article, and I am assured they were not.